Heathrow Airport has taken a bold step towards backing the use of electric-hybrid aircraft. The airport announced that the first electric-hybrid aircraft will be given one year of free landing charges at Heathrow if it is put into regular service at the transport hub.

That equates to almost £1 million, a significant cost saving and one that the airport is hoping will incentivise operators to focus on clean growth, and use their cleanest and quietest aircraft at Heathrow.

Speaking at a BusinessGreen Leaders Summit John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow chief executive, said that this is just the next logical step in the airport’s quest to promote sustainable aviation.

“We championed carbon neutral growth in global aviation, which will come into effect in 2020. The next frontier is zero carbon flying, and I hope this prize will help to make it a reality at Heathrow by 2030,” he asserted.

Many within the industry have welcomed the announcement, with Airbus chief technology officer Grazia Vittadini and easyJet CEO Johan Lundgren among those to support the initiative.

Liz Sugg, aviation minister, added that the government is exploring other ways in which to support the development of “cleaner, greener technology in the sector”.

Although Heathrow Airport’s announcement is making headlines, one small airline in Scotland appears to be ahead of the game where the introduction of electric aircraft is concerned.

The Press and Journal recently reported that Loganair, a Scottish regional airline, intends to start using electric planes on its services between the Orkney Islands by 2021.

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